The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-03
AN INDEPENDENT OPINION.
Cleveland's Record Discussed by an Unpreju-
diced Democratic Cabinet Estimate.

| Cleveland's Record Discussed by an Unpreju-
diced Democrat-A Cabinet Estimate.
| Washington CORES pondence Philadelphia Press
1t is 0on5iy interesting to find here and there
man n Washington who doesn't talk like all
| the rest;'who looks at current politics from a
| comparatively independent and philosophical
| point of view and by independence 1 don't mean
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. seeing more that is good
| in the acts OF your political opponents than in
those of your own party-but calmness OF sur
| vey and carefulness of study not colored dis
| torted by personal ambition interest
spent hour with such man today. He
has always been a Democrat, having been
trained in the Calhoun school, man Of large
accomplishments, recognized authority in
certain departments OF law not mastered by
many considerable portion of his life has
been spent in special public service under both
Republican and Democratic administrations.
| am requested not to mention his name, which
would add weight to what am about to write
because, not being in politics. he does not
to appear to be taking any active part in the
public discussion of current topics. With his
friends and acquaintarces he talks very freely,
as he did with me to-day. He give reason
for every opinion he holds, and wouldn't hest
tate to do SO, in public, if it seemed desira
bic. He said:
President Cleveland is to be renominated; our
party seems to have no other candidate. And
yet fail to discover evidence of his positive
strength in the country. The Democratic Con-
gressmen, as they come back, all say that
other candidate is talked about, but great
many of them are simply stating fact AS it is
and not as they wish it, for there are very few
who haven't been disappointed in some way
another. 1 think there very few active
Democrats in the country who do not feel that
the party has failed TO all the fruits of
the victory of 1884 that they expected or hoped
for. Some are more dissatisfied than others,
but great many would be better pleased if
there was prospect of new candidate next
year.
$50 much for the politicians. Now fail to see
any signs of enthusiasm for Mr.. Cleveland
among the people. The general feeling is that
he has been a very safe President, but he has
done nothing to inspire men to WORK for n, him:
What brilliant thing has he accomplished What
has there been In his policy to make his admin
istration remembered? What act has he per-
formed that any other common man might not
have done just we'll he? The adminsrra-
ton has lacked individuality. distinctive char
acter.
Zone thing has been accomplished during the
last three years for which Mr.. Cleveland ought
to have his full share Of credit The admins
tration has demonstrated to the country that no
great calamity is to result from a change of the
control of the government from Republican to
Democratic hands and vice versa Henceforth
the presidential contests may be as sharp ana as
bitter as they have been in the past, but that
dread of the consequences Of defeat of the Re
ublican party that prevailed in some parts OF
the North has, think, passed away.
What do think of the Cabinet, do you ask?
Well. to tell you the truth, l hardly know what
to think. There is MIR. Bayard, for instance; 1
didn't know him very thoroughly, but l have
always looked upon him of the strongest
men in our party. His ancestry, education and
experience were calculated TO make a statesman
of him. | thought. too, that he had the touch
with the people-that sort of instinct that is the
secret of much political success; but he
doesn't seem to have it at all. / don't under
stand it Take his handling of the fishery ques-
tion for instance. When he was making that
arrangement with Sir Lionel West for the extern
sion of the fishery clauses OF the treaty of
Washington six mon this and agreeing recon-
mend to Congress the creation of joint
mission to consider not only the troubles in
Eastern waters but also the subject of recipro-
city and any other matters OF difference that
either nation might see tit TO bring in, Mr.. Bay
ard and the President were probably the only
two men in Washington who had given any
tention to the subject who did not know that
neither Congress nor the country would
consent to the beginning of negotiations upon
any such basis they proposed.
Il have been told. but do not know, that Mr..
Bayard's prejudice against everything that MIR.
Blaine did or initiated during his brief term o
Office Secretary of State is so great to have
more weight than almost anything else in
shaping his policy. Mr.. Blaine did some things
that did not approve of, but during my long
experience in public affairs l have never known
an instance in which a man has been wanton-
", wickedy, inexcusably misrepresented as
Mr.. Blaine, in regard his foreign policy, has
been. / verify believe that there WAS a CON
spiracy to ruin him by making the country sup
pose what was lust the opposite of the truth in
regard to some of his most important acts. And
the base OF operations OF this warfare upon Mr..
Blaine was rot in the Democratic party alone
The only really successful Cabinet minister
under the present administration has been Mr.
Lamar, and his services in the Interior Depart
ment would be much more appreciated in the
country than they are if the people knew the
difficult and complicated nature of his du-
ties. / have been sorry that the President
didn't assign MIR. Lamar to the State Depart
ment There, more than in any other Cabinet
position. would he have escaped from the effects
of the prejudice due to his Identification with
the South His tastes and ability, it seems to
me, eminently fit him to deal with diplomatic
questions, and am certain that he would not
have made the mistakes that Mr.. Bayard has
fallen into
oil d NJ Mr. IN fho
Supreme Court He is man of broad views,
careful and dligent student, quick to appre-
bend, accustomed to do his own thinking. His
mind is naturally judicial and his moral cour-
age is unquestioned He is well read in the law.
and what he lacks in knowledge of methods Of
procedure he will very soon acquire by the
sistance Of the circuit judge who sits with him.
Il hardly know what say about the presi-
dental contest next year. L cannot see that the
New York election has IN the least degree weak
eued Mr.. Blaine Republican candidate.
Who else is there2 Mr.. Sherman is one of the
ablost men you have in your party. and would
make very safe President, but you don't be-
lieve that he could get the vote Mr. Blaine
would, do youl Mr. Allison's name is sometimes
mentioned. i have great respect for his ability
and experience, but do not think that the party
would do wisely In nominating him.
THE Republicans will have one advantage next
year. l believe that ma iority of the people in
this country believe in the protective system. 1t
is impossible to convince thinking people that
the wonderful economic growth of this country
is not due, in degree at least, to this policy.
The days when protection was opposed In the
South as sectional have passed away, and the
question will hereafter have to be discussed upon
its merits In some parts of the South there is
already strong protectioniSt party, and while
it is not sufficiently large in any Southern State
yet to change electoral votes, its influence will
be felt IN Congress and in the campaign / be-
lieve that the so-cailed revenue reform senti-
ment is the decline, and circumstances
seem to make it necessary for the Democratic
party to take pretty strong position against
the tariff, they will enter the campaign cham
piOninC a that waning
Such. in brief, is the substance of what this
gentleman said to to-day, and its chief inter-
est lies in the fact that the talk was entirely
free from reserve, and the opinions expressed
thnsa of q m amazing annla of